Japanese grammar
What does ～ても mean? Japanese grammar N3
～ても means even if ~ (contrary to expectation).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N3 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vて + も Aくて + も Aな／N + でも |
| Romaji | temo |
| Meaning | even if ~ (contrary to expectation) |
Forming it
| Verb | 降っ + ても |
|---|---|
| i-adjective | 高く + ても |
| na-adjective / Noun | 静か + でも／学生 + でも |
How to use it
States a concessive condition: even if A, result B still happens, contrary to what would normally be expected from A.
- 「～ても」 states a CONCESSIVE condition: even if A, result B still happens, contrary to what would normally be expected.
- Can be a real or hypothetical condition. With question words (どんなに, いくら), it emphasizes “no matter how much”.
- Conjugation: verb te-form + も; i-adjectives drop 「い」 + 「くても」; na-adjectives and nouns + 「でも」.
Examples
雨が降っても、試合は行います。
Even if it rains, the match will be held.
高くても、必要なら買います。
Even if it’s expensive, I’ll buy it if I need it.
Keep in mind
- 「疑問詞 + ても」 means "no matter..." (何を食べても, どこへ行っても).
- Nouns and na-adjectives use 「でも」.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong学生ても、責任がある。
Even as a student, you still have responsibilities.
Correct学生でも、責任がある。
Nouns connect to the concessive 「も」 via 「で」: 学生でも.
-
Wrong高いても、買います。
Even though it's expensive, I'll still buy it.
Correct高くても、買います。
i-adjectives conjugate to 「くても」 (高くても), not keeping 「い」.
Exam tips
- Correct conjugation: Vて+も, Aくて+も, Aな/N+でも; question word + ても = no matter what.